Safety lighting system for automotive vehicles



DSC. 3, 1940- H. E. JOHNSON SAFETY LIGHTING vSYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Filed June 29, 1938 f//s damse@ Vane/x.

Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES SAFETY LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMO TIVE y VEHICLE S Harry E. Johnson, incompetent, Madison, Ill., by Lula B. Johnson, conservatrix, Madison, Ill.

Application June 29, 1938, Serial No. 216,5104

2 Claims.

"Ihis invention relates to improvements in electrical lighting systems for automotive vehicles such as trucks, busses, automobiles, and the like. As is well known, such vehicles are equipped with headlights, one or more tail lights, parking lights, turn signal lights and stop lights, for the protection of the driver, as well as other drivers using the same thoroughfare.

Because of the numerous lights required, failure of any one of them frequently leads to disaster. This is particularly true when the failing light is located at the rear ofthe vehicle, in which event the driver is unaware of the defect.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of means whereby the failure of any light or lights to properly function, will automatically and instantaneously cause the illumination of a substitute light or lights. To this end, a system is provided of circuits which automatically switch the light-giving energy from main to'auxiliary circuits, or vice versa.

In carrying out the invention, each of the various lamps, except the parking lamps, is provided with -a multi-filament bulb, and it is a lfeature ofthe invention that each of said lilaments has its own individual circuit.

More particularly, the invention includes a plurality of relays, which automatically switch the energy from a selected circuit to an auxiliary circuit whenever the former becomes defective, thereby minimizing the dangers of night driving.

`With specific reference to the headlights, the present system provides for the illumination of the secondary filament upon failure of the main filament in either of them to glow, or vice versa.

Further, as to the tail light, the invention provides for the illumination of the stop light filament upon failure of the tail light lament, thereby insuring that at all times, the vehicle will be marked with a red light at the rear.

Failure of a main filament in the turn signal lights, likewise automatically causes the secondary filament to glow.-

A particularly important feature of the system is the provision for the energization of the dim or low ray filaments of the headlights, should .one or both of the parking lights fail.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the arrangement whereby all of these circuits are incorporated in a single system, adapted to be installed on any present-day vehicle, with but a few alterations 'in theconventional wiring installations.

It is to be understood of course, thatthe protection afforded is not permanent, but provides the illumination required by law until defects can be remedied.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent or pointed out in the following description in conjunction with the drawing, which forms a part of this specification.

Said drawing illustrated in diagrammatic form the preferred system of the present invention. For the present, it is deemed advisable to enumerate thevarlous components ofthe systern, the various circuits included to be described in detail subsequently.

Numeral I indicates the usual storage battery, grounded to the frame of the vehicle as at 2. The customary starter switch 3 is connected by a lead 4 to the ammeter 5, whence a line 6 leads to the generator, (not shown). A lead 'l connects the ammeter and the stoplight switch 8, which is actuated by a brake pedal, (not shown). The switch 8 is shown in the ofi position.

Numeral 9 indicates a lead between the ammeter and a manually operated combination head, tail, and parking light switch I0. Nu meral I I designates a lead to the starting motor, (not shown). Stationary contacts I2, I3, I4, I5, I6, co-operate with switch blade I0.

A manually or automatically controlled right or left turn signal switch is indicated at. Il, and is at all times in communication with the battery, either through the ammeter as illustrated, or directly. Located at the rear of the vehicle are turn signal lights I8 and I9, and combined tail and stop lights 20 and 2|. Located at the front of the vehicle are turn signal lights 22 and 23, headlights 24 and 25, and parking lights 26 and 2'I. All lights are grounded as shown.

The tail lights are connected by leads 28 and 29. Leads 30 and 3| connect lights I9 and 23, and lead 32 lights I8 and 22. Lead 33 connects light I8 to a contact supporting member to be described later. Parking lamps 26 and 2T lare connected by a lead 34.

The relays employed include a left turn signal relay A, right turn signal relay B, tail light relay C, parking light relay D, and headlight relay E.

Relay A includes a frame member 35, core 36, armature blade 31, a boss thereon 38, and a contact thereon 39. A contact 40 is mounted on a support 4I, between which and the frame 35 a block of insulation 42 is interposed. A repulsion winding 43 on core 36 is connected by a wire 44 to fuse 45, in turn connected to lead 32 by wire 46. A connection between lamp 22 and lead 33 is designated 41. to frame 35 as at 48. A lead 49 connects said winding toswitch point 50 of turn signal switch |1.

Relay B includes frame 5|, core 52, armature blade 53, its boss 54 and contact 55. A contact 56 is mounted on a support 51, an insulating block 58 being positioned between .the latter and frame 5|. Repulsion Winding 59 on core 52 is connected by wire 60 to fuse 6|, and a lead 62 connects the fuse with the lead 30 .of the right turn signal light circuit. A lead 63 connects frame 5| with switch point 64 of turn signal switch |1. Winding 59 is connected vto line 63 at 65.

Tail light relay C is of similar construction. Mounted on frame 66 is a core 61, armature 68 with an integral boss 69 `and a contact 10. A contact 1| is mounted on support 12, with an insulating block 13 between the latter and frame 66. Repulsion coil 14 by means of wire 15 is connected to fuse 16, in turn connected by lead 11 to light 2|. Winding 14 is connected at 18 to conductor 19, in turn connected by wire to frame 66.

Relay D includes a frame 8|, core 82, armature 83, boss 84 and dual contact 65. Also a contact 86` on support 81, the latter insulated from member 89 as at 89. A contact 90 is fixed on member 89. Repulsion coil 9| is lconnected by wire 92 to fuse 93, lead 94 connecting the latter with line 34. Insulation 95 is interposed between member 89 and frame 8|, connectedby line 96 with switch point |4. Winding 9| joins line 96'at 91. A wire 81a connects contact supports 91 and |06.

Referring now to relay E, 98 indicates the frame, 99 the core, |00 the armature, |0| the boss thereon, |02 a dual contact, |03 a contact on member |04, insulated by block |05 from support |06 carrying contact |01 as illustrated. Insulation |08 is interposedbetween contact supportV |06 and frame 93. u Numeral |09 indicates an'l attraction winding connected by wire |090. to fuse ||0, in turn connected tolight 24 by line ||I. A lead I|2 connects coil |09 and a wire ||3 leading to switch point l5. It likewise connects an attraction coil ||4 on core 99 with components |09, |04 `and H3 as shown. Coil ||4, by means of wire ||5 is connected to fuse ||6, in turn connected to light 25 by wire |1.

Attraction coil |18, connected t0 switch point |2by lead ||9, connects to frame 98 as at |20, and from that point a lead |2| connects to fuse |22, the latter connected to switch point |3 through lead 19. Numeral |23 designates a repulsion coil on core 99, connected by wire |24 to fuse4 |25, `in turn connected to light 24 by wire |26. A second repulsion coil |21 is connected by wire |28 to fuse 29, in turn connected by lead |30v with light 25. Wire |3| connects coils |23 and |21 to member |06 asshown.

From contact support 12, a wire |32 joins lead 28 of the tail light circuit. Wire |33 connects support 51 and lead 3|.v Wire |34 connects support 89 and lead 19. Lead |35 connects switch |1 with the ammeter through 1, and lead |36 connects switch 8 and liney 28. Switch point l5 is connected to |06 by lead |31.

As previously stated, all of the'lights except the parking lamps, are provided with two iilaments, in the embodiment shown. The main or normal iilaments of the turn signals are indicated at |38, the auxiliary filaments at |39. The

Winding 43 connects main or bright laments of the head lights are numbered |40, the auxiliary or dim laments being numbered |4 Stop light laments are indicated at |42, tail light filaments at |43.

Obviously, the invention also contemplates the use of a pair of single filaments associated with the various lamps, instead of the dual filament arrangement illustrated. The operation of the system would be the same in either arrangement, and it is not considered necessary to illustrate both.

Also, it is obvious that the conventional head light dimming switch may be added if desired, without disrupting the operation of the system.

The system operates as follows: y

Manually operated switch blade l0, is at all times connected to battery l. It is important that this be kept in mind, since it will obviate the necessity of tracing various circuits beyond switch |0 to the battery time andV again. Also, for the sake of brevity, the various components will frequently be referred to bytheir rrespective indicating numerals only.

Assuming that switch blade I0, shown in the off position, (full lines), is set on stationary contact I4, acircuit is completed through I4, 96, 91, 9|, 92, 93, 94 and 34 to the parking lights, and through 96, 8|, 83, 85, 90, |34, 18, 14, 15, 16, 11 and 29 to. tail light filaments |43. The magnetic flux set up in core 82 actuates varmature 83 away from itclosing contacts 65 and 90, to complete the latter circuit. y Upon failure of either or both parking lights 26 and 21, energization of coil 9| will cease, thereby completing an auxiliary circuit through |4, 96, 8|, 83, 8,5, 86, 81, 81a, |06, |3|, |23 and I21,1'|24 and |28, |25and |29, |26 and |30 to the dim or low ray laments 4| of the headlights 24.' n

Thus, failure of the parking lamps is taken care ofV in a novel yand efficient manner until .the defective circuit can be repaired. It should be mentioned here that armature 83'is normally biased to 'the right, as viewed in the drawing.

A feature of the invention resides inthe fact that energization of the tail light iilaments |43 is continued at the same time, through :|0,' |`4, 96, 8|, 83, 85, 86, 81, 81a, |06, |01, |02, |00, 98, |20, |2|, |22, 19, 18, 14, 15, 16 and 11. In order to clarify the operation of the circuit just described, it is pointed out that the flow of current through repulsion coils |23 and |21 sets up a iiuX in core 99 actuating armature |00 to `the left, closing contacts |02 and |01.

Should either or both tail light filaments|43 fail, a circuit would automatically be completed through I0, I4, 96, 8|, 83, 85, 90, |34, 19, 80, 66, 68, 10, 1|, 12, |32 and 28 to stop light filaments |42. This circuit will be clearlyunderstood when it is borne in mind that armature 68 is normally biased to the right, closing contacts 10 and 1|, when coil 14 is inactive.

. Itis apparent therefore, that failure of `tail light laments is automatically rectiedby the illumination of the stop light laments.

Assuming switch l0 is on stationarycontacts l2 and |5, two circuits are completed. The first of these, which energizes the dim or low ray laments |4| of the headlights 24, may be traced from I5 thro-ugh |31, |06, |3|, |23 and |21, |24 and |28, |25 and |29, |26 and |30.

The second circuit, which energizes 'the tail light filaments |43, may be traced fromv |2 through 9, ||8 and |2|, thence as previously described.

It is noted here,'that attraction coil ||8 is energized simultaneously with repulsion coils |23 and |21, and that coil ||8 has a greater number of turns than either coil |23 or coil |21. However, the total number of turns on |23 and |21 exceeds the number on |8.

This arrangement effects the completion of a circuit energizing the main or bright filaments |40, upon failure of the dim or low ray filaments, in either or both headlights. When such failure occurs, the attraction coil ||3 causes contacts |02 and |03 to close, coils |23 and |21, (or either of them), having become inactive.

rThe auxiliary circuit thus set up may be traced from |2 through ||9, ||8, |20, 93, |00, |02, |93, |04, ||2, |09 and ||4, |09a and H5, ||0 and H6, and ||1, to the bright headlight filaments |40.

The bright light circuit, with switch on stationary contacts I6 and I3 Will now be explained. Said circuit may be traced from |6 through |i3, ||2, |09 and ||4, |0911 and H5, ||0 and H6, and ||1 to filaments |40.

Should either or both filaments |40 fail, the attraction action of coils |09 and ||4 will cease, permitting contacts |02 and |01 to close, (armature |00 being biased to the left), automatically completing a circuit to the low ray filaments |4| of said headlights, from contact I3, through 13, |22, |2|, |20, 98, |00, |02, |01, |06, |3|, |23 and |21, |24 and |28, |25 and |29, |26 and |30.

The associated tail light circuit may be traced from I3 through 19, l0, 14, 15, 16, 11 and 23 to laments |43.

The stop light circuit is conventional, and needs no detailed description.

The turn signal switch |1 is connected at all times With the battery, either through the ammeter or directly. It is shown in the off position.

Assuming a left turn is to be made, switch blade |1 is brought into engagement with stationary contact 50. This closes a circuit from the latter through 49, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 32 to the main left turn signal filaments |38.

Upon failure of the main filaments |38, repulsion winding 43 becomes inactive, allowing armature 31, (normally biased to the right), to close contacts 39 and 40, thereby establishing a circuit which will energize the auxiliary filaments |39 of said left turn signals |8 and 22. This circuit may be traced from 50 through 49, 48, 35, 31, 39, 40, 4|, 33 and 41.

In like manner, when a right turn is to be made, switch |1 is brought into engagement with stationary contact 64. The circuit thus completed is from 64 through 63, 65, 59, 60, 6|, 62 and 30 to the main filaments |38 of the right turn signals |9 and 23.

Upon failure of said main filaments, repulsion coil 59 becomes inactive, permitting armature 53, (normally biased to the right), to close contacts 55 and 56. This establishes the auxiliary circuit for the secondary filaments |39 of said right turn signals |9 and 23. It may be traced from 64 through 63, 53, 55, 56, 51, |33 and 3|.

In this manner, defects in the main filament circuits of the left and right turn signals are rectified, until they can be repaired.

Obviously, the embodied illustrated and described may be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a plurality of single filament bulbs may be incorporated in each light, instead of a multifilament bulb, as previously mentioned.

The addition of a headlight dimming switch, if desired, is likewise comprehended as hereinbefore stated.

A modified form of the system, requiring fewer circuits, is applicable to boats, airplanes, motorcycles, etc.

The ground arrangement of the Various lights is conventionally illustrated, but positive springpressed, non-corrosive ground connections are preferred. This is particularly true when lights are mounted on fenders, Where Vibrations are greatest, and more apt to cause defective ground connections.

The various relays have been described as operating in conjunction with direct current, but the invention also contemplates their use with alternating current, through the medium of shading coils.

Additional circuits and lights, (such as clearance lights), may be incorporated, and other Variations made, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Obviously, also, the relays may be used in combination or separately.

Therefore, it is not desired to be limited to the precise arrangement and details illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lighting system for automotive Vehicles including a tail light circuit, a stop light circuit and a source of current, means for automatically switching the current from said tail light to said stop light circuit, the instant failure occurs in the first-named circuit, said means comprising a relay including a core, a frame, a pair of spaced stationary contacts and a movable armature mounted on the frame, said armature carrying a contact adapted to cooperate with one of said stationary contacts in the normal operation of the tail light circuit, and adapted to cooperate with the other stationary contact upon failure of said tail light circuit, thereby transferring the current to a second relay having a core, a frame, a stationary contact and a movable armature mounted on the frame, said armature being normally biased away from the stationary contact, and itself carrying a contact adapted when such current transfer occurs to cooperate with the stationary contact to close the stop light circuit.

2. In a lighting system for automotive vehicles including a parking light circuit, a headlight circuit provided with a pair of lamps having main and auxiliary filaments, and a source of current, means for automatically switching the current from the parking light circuit to the headlight circuit in response to failure in the first-named circuit, said means comprising a relay including a core, a frame, a stationary Contact and a movable armature mounted on the frame, said armature carrying a contact adapted in the normal operation of the parking light circuit to be spaced away from the stationary contact, but adapted upon failure of said circuit to cooperate with said stationary contact, thereby transferring the current to the frame of a second relay, thence through a pair of leads connected to said relay frame to the auxiliary filaments of the lamps of said headlight circuit.

LULA B. JOHNSON, Conservafr for Harry E. Johnson, Incompetent. 

